Davis Cup to be transformed into a World Cup of Tennis

FILE - This is a Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 file photo of the French captain Yannick Noah, center, holding the cup after France won the Davis Cup at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille, northern France. France won the Davis Cup for the first time in 16 years after beating Belgium 3-2. The Davis Cup is set to be transformed into a one-week, 18-nation World Cup of Tennis in a major overhaul of the international team event in men’s tennis. The International Tennis Federation says it has unanimously endorsed a proposal to create a new season-ending event in November starting in 2019. The World Cup of Tennis would be played over seven days in the traditional week of the David Cup final and comprise a round-robin format followed by a quarterfinal knockout stage. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)(Photo: The Associated Press)

LONDON (AP) — The Davis Cup is set to be transformed into a one-week, 18-nation World Cup of Tennis in a major overhaul of the international team event in the men's game.

The International Tennis Federation said Monday it has unanimously endorsed a proposal to create a new season-ending event in November starting in 2019.

The World Cup of Tennis would be played over seven days in the traditional week of the Davis Cup final, and comprise a round-robin format followed by a quarterfinal knockout stage. Each match would consist of two singles and a doubles.

Sixteen teams would automatically qualify for the finals and two more would be selected.